“Cruising” in the Castro

When “Cruising” came out in 1980, pretty much everyone hated the movie. It was the first high-profile bomb for star Al Pacino, and you have to dig deep in the bargain bin to find a 1980s William Friedkin movie that was more reviled. Worse yet, it was attacked by many in the gay community, who felt that the film’s gay serial killer and over-the-top portrayal of queer culture enforced homophobic stereotypes.

“Cruising” will have a short theatrical run on the weekend of Sept. 7, before the release of a special “Deluxe Edition DVD” on Sept. 18. There’s also a special 7:30 p.m. preview screening this Friday, which will feature an appearance by Friedkin, who has agreed to a Q&A session with the audience.

Don’t fear too much for the “Exorcist” director, who is still going strong nearly three decades after “Cruising.” The film has since developed a cult status, with some giving the movie historical significance for its detailed (albeit skewed) look at gay culture in the early 1980s. There’s also word that a missing 40 minutes of footage would have made “Cruising” a better film, although it’s unclear if these scenes are available on the DVD.